Westerly Sealord of Bavaria 38 Ocean?

[davethedog]

Thanks again for the replies and agree that the BAV looks very nice but will it be durable enough..that is the question!

My head is saying the Sealord.

[George DuBose]

The build quality of Bavarias shown at boat shows is poor and the workmanship is not very good. Bavarias are built by robots and too many corners are cut in an attempt to offer the cheapest boat in the market.

IMHO, Bavarias are only good for lake or coastal sailing when you need to sleep 12 people in four cabins.

...and I think they are inherently SLOW.

I wouldn't take one for free.

[robert sailor]

[QUOTE=George DuBose;2073830]The build quality of Bavarias shown at boat shows is poor and the workmanship is not very good. Bavarias are built by robots and too many corners are cut in an attempt to offer the cheapest boat in the market.

IMHO, Bavarias are only good for lake or coastal sailing when you need to sleep 12 people in four cabins.

...and I think they are inherently SLOW.

I wouldn't take one for free.[/QUOT

I was with you every step of the way until your final point of refusing a free brand new Bavaria and now I sorta suspect your original points.

[WindLove]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

and I know at least one of them (newer model) had issues with the interior separating from hull after a rough crossing.
.

Why get caught up in minor details.

[JPA Cate]

A bit of separation of liner from hull would be terrifying out on the deep blue where you must persevere to even get in rescue range. It is a good thing to understand the limitations of one's boat, even when you love it.

Ann

[George DuBose]

Not only would I not take a Bavaria of any age for free, I don't think I would want to be even seen on one. Bavarias are for sailors primarily concerned about how many she sleeps and the low price.

I suppose one could use the big savings on the best liferaft...that's one place NOT to save money...

I am of the school that believes that there are real values to be found in classic plastic yachts. I own two Pearsons and while Pearson's built quality isn't up to a Hinckley, Pearson at least used quality bronze materials in their seacocks, rudder construction and their hulls are thick.

I probably spent as much as the purchase price again on renovating my P36-1, but I have a better, stronger and safer boat than when she was new.

...and she eats Bavarias for lunch.

[robert sailor]

I'm not a Bavaria hater, I think most of these entry level boats do ok crossing oceans as long as you can avoid bad weather. Great boats for sailing in the Med/Mexico or Caribbean. All new entry level production boats are similar in build although our member Polux tells us that new Bavarias have gone from ho hum boats to better built boats with tabbed in bulkheads etc. so maybe the new ones are not so bad.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by George DuBose

Not only would I not take a Bavaria of any age for free, I don't think I would want to be even seen on one.

Prime example of (Dutch) Bavaria bashing ...
Not necessary, imho, and definitely not necessary to insult every Bav owner out there.

Also not very helpful for the OP, cos bashing a brand will probably not change his wife's mind.

[barnakiel]

I would not take a Bav 38 to sail rtw.

Given what can be seen at the dock, a Westerly of adequate size and condition may be the better boat.

My negative attitude to Bavarias is generic and gathered from a handful of samples owned by our sailing friends - both private and charter (owning the charter company). Too many failure points, to many leaks, etc. Not bad boats just not what I can visualize as a happy rtw boat.

b.

[davethedog]

Thanks all once more and the wife is now seriously considering the older boat.

[boatman61]

The Moody would also be worth a look as they are an old and respected English marque as well.. give the missus some choice..

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by boatman61

The Moody would also be worth a look as they are an old and respected English marque as well.. give the missus some choice..

Or show the missus some real dogs and then agree to move upmarket to the sealord.......

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Or show the missus some real dogs and then agree to move upmarket to the sealord.......

Sneaky.. I like it..

[El Pinguino]

Dave, are you looking at Midnight Ketch or this one - Westerly Sealord 39 Used Boat for Sale 1983 | TheYachtMarket ?

The one I linked to seems tidy enough for age...even has a near new engine.... I would buy her just for that and the hydrovane..... in fact I would buy her just for the hydrovane.
She needs a bit of a clean up but seems to have been upgraded a bit over the years... new switchboard for one.

Treadmaster isn't too bad for her age and I think you can get paint from the treadmaster people to freshen it up.

'Midnight Ketch'? Westerly Sealord 39 Used Boat for Sale 1984 | TheYachtMarket
Sealords came with a ketch option but I think only a few were built although all came with the plinth to put the mizzen on. Same boat more string....

She has new treadmaster, thats worth a few bob.....

[robert sailor]

Dig a lot deeper than a new engine and Hydrovane as bigger boats are much more expensive to refit